Former U.S. President Donald Trump bid farewell to tech billionaire Elon Musk at a White House ceremony on Thursday, as Musk formally stepped down from his advisory role in the administration. The event, however, was laced with ambiguity, as Trump declared, “He’s not really leaving,” casting uncertainty over Musk’s future involvement.
The ceremony marked the official conclusion of Musk’s role as a high-profile economic and technological advisor, a position he held since Trump’s return to the White House. Speaking before a crowd of administration officials, business leaders, and reporters, Trump praised Musk for his work on advancing American innovation, particularly in the fields of space exploration and artificial intelligence.
“Elon Musk is a visionary — no one can deny that,” Trump said. “He’s done more to transform the future of American technology than almost anyone. But he’ll be around. He’s not really leaving.”
Musk, for his part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized that he will continue to contribute to national progress through his private ventures. He noted his commitment to space exploration, energy development, and artificial intelligence, though he gave no specifics about any ongoing collaboration with the administration.
The event was light-hearted at times, with Trump joking about Musk’s habit of making headlines and his active presence on social media. However, it also carried political undertones, with Trump highlighting Musk’s influence and signaling that their working relationship may not be entirely over.
The announcement of Musk’s departure had come earlier in the week, sparking speculation over the reasons behind it. While no formal explanation has been given, insiders suggest that Musk sought to refocus on his business operations amid mounting regulatory challenges and public scrutiny.
Observers also noted that Musk’s resignation comes at a politically sensitive time, as the Trump administration pushes ahead with its tech and industrial policies and seeks to limit Chinese influence in critical sectors.
The farewell event concluded with a handshake and brief remarks from Musk, who stated: “This isn’t goodbye. It’s just a shift in how I continue to support progress.” Trump nodded in agreement, repeating, “He’ll be back.”
The symbolic nature of the ceremony and Trump’s comments suggest that Musk may remain an informal advisor or collaborator, even without an official role. For now, however, Musk’s departure marks the end of a unique chapter in the Trump administration’s outreach to the tech industry.
Source; Al Jazeera
